Telcos can’t start services suo moto: TRAI

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Now the telecom operators will have to take your explicit permission before activating any chargeable service on your mobile phone, as per TRAI order issued on Monday.

The order follows complaints from the subscribers that mobile companies were activating service on the phone without taking their clear consent.

“The service provider shall obtain confirmation from the consumer through consumer originated sms or e-mail or fax or in writing within twenty four hours of activation of the value added service and charge the consumer only if the confirmation is received from him for such value added service and shall discontinue such value added service if no confirmation is received from the consumer,” said TRAI.

The service provider will, at least three days before the due date of renewal of a subscribed value added service, inform the consumer through sms about charges for renewal and toll free telephone number for unsubscribing the service.

Trai said that if there is insufficient balance in the account of a consumer, the service provider will send a request, through sms, to the consumer to indicate his consent for continuing such service.